The Servant

The Water of Life!!! by Daniel Jolliff

blogsimichurchofchrist — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 19:35:40 +0000

The Judean exiles in Babylon have lost everything but their lives. Their homes have been destroyed, their temple has been destroyed, their king taken into captivity, and their capital was in ruins. All of their visions of the future of their people have been dashed against the rocks of recent history. The lives that they had dreamed of and prepared for no longer existed. Ezekiel had been prophesying of this for a long time, but no one believed him. His visions of doom did not fit their understanding of God and His people. They thought to themselves that they were the “chosen,” the people of God. They thought that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob could not allow the complete destruction of His chosen people and the promise land. They now realized that there was either something wrong with their God or there was something wrong with their understanding of God’s promises. Ezekiel had been telling them that the problem was with their understanding!
Ezekiel assures them that there was nothing wrong with their God other than His extreme wrath regarding the way the people thought that they could serve idols and other gods without any consequences. God is a jealous God who thought of Israel as His bride and demanded absolute faithfulness to His covenant.
How refreshing it must have been when Ezekiel now starts telling them about the new Jerusalem and the new temple. God had not allowed His people to be completely destroyed. He had saved this remnant of His people in Babylonian exile and would one day send them back to the promise land. In Ezekiel 47, the prophet’s vision of the new Jerusalem includes a river flowing out from underneath the throne of God. This river passes by the altar and down into the desert. In Ezekiel’s vision, the river brings life to the desert, life to the Dead Sea and life to everything it touches. John 4:10 tells us that Jesus will give us this life giving water. “Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
The eternal power of God flows through this “life-giving” river. It has the power to regenerate, reconcile, redeem, resurrect, and radically transform everything that it touches. When we step into the waters of baptism, we have stepped into God’s river of life! We have been touched by the eternal, inundated with the grace of God and overwhelmed by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. Everything changes as we adapt our lives to the presence of the Almighty God and anticipate eternity with Him! What should we being doing in the mean time? We need to be sharing the message of God’s condemnation of the world and the message of God’s grace that allows His people to avoid that condemnation. We should be showing others “the Way” to the river of life!

The Holy and the Common by Daniel Jolliff

blogsimichurchofchrist — Sun, 30 May 2010 19:39:08 +0000

“Holy” is one of those words that one rarely hears outside of a church context. Even then, it is a greatly misunderstood word. Quite often, when people hear “holy” what they think is “holier-than-thou.” It comes across as a “self-righteous” thing that most people want to avoid. Besides, the societal pressure is to “fit-in” and conform to the group, whichever group that may be. I mean, no one really wants to stick out in a crowd, and certainly not as some sort of religious zealot.
A big part of the problem is that most people, even church-people, don’t really understand what “holy” means. “Holy” is the opposite of “common.” It means “unique,” “special” or “unusual.” It is usually associated with something that has a very specific and unusual purpose. I know that growing up we had some “holy” dishes that came from the orient. Most of the time they sat on display and we children were told never to touch them. Every now and then, when a special visitor would come over to our house for dinner, those oriental dishes would be taken off of their display stands, rinsed and wiped carefully and then placed perfectly on the table. I knew they were from the orient because every time we used them my mother would say something about China. If the China was on the table, it meant someone special was coming over or that something special was happening. Thus, the “holy” dishes would come out.
Whenever something special is treated as something common, something important has been lost. God intended His people to be a “holy” people. That does not mean that we can look down on other people and act as if we are better than they are. It means that we have a special purpose, an unusual function in this world. God’s people are supposed to display God to the rest of the world. Thus, if God’s people act and talk the way everyone else does, if God’s people display values and priorities the same way that everyone else does, then they are no longer holy…they have become common. When that happens, the Church, God’s people, have lost their message. It is important to know and teach the difference.

Its Not About You! by Daniel Jolliff

blogsimichurchofchrist — Tue, 18 May 2010 16:37:05 +0000

As we have studied through Ezekiel, we have come to a distinct turning point. Up to now, the prophet has been explaining to the people why God had been so hard on them. Ezekiel has pointed out that God did not abandon them. God is the One punishing them with such severity. Last week we began to see the glimmer of hope as Ezekiel 34 revealed that God would take the Israelites back to their home country and that He would personally shepherd His sheep. God promises the Messiah, the servant of David that would come and care for God’s sheep, His people Israel. After such a long and scathing rebuke regarding their idolatry, immorality, and lust for violence, this renewed hope must have come as a great relief to them.
But God does not want there to be any confusion regarding their return to the land. In the past, their understanding of their relationship with God was wrong. They thought that God was like the pagan gods, easily manipulated to pour out only good gifts as long as He was appeased with the rituals and sacrifices of His religion. God promises to take them back to their land, but He gives them notice that there are going to be some relational changes and some misunderstandings corrected.
After God promises the Israelites that He will return them to their land, He explains His motivation with crystal clarity, “It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations you have gone…” Before the destruction of Jerusalem, the Israelites had the notion that God would keep His covenant with them even when they were not keeping their part of it. They did not understand that they were God’s chosen people for the purpose of reflecting God to the nations. God has made it clear that they were not reflecting Him and His Character, thus, they were punished and removed. The fact that He is returning them to their land is not because of anything they have done, but rather because of Who God is.
Do we take “God’s Holy Name” seriously? Do we recognize that we have died to self and no longer live for ourselves? Do we realize that once we made the commitment to follow Christ, the question is no longer “what do I want, but “what does God want me to do?” If we could truly live our lives this way, imagine what great things God would to through us in this community. May God grant us a greater faith in Him, and the ability to put that faith into practice in a practical way that glorifies God

What Does It Mean to be Chosen by God? by Joe Tipps

blogsimichurchofchrist — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:35:23 +0000

What does it mean to be chosen by God? Does it mean you can continue with what you were doing before the calling? Does it mean change or redirection? Does it include suffering, pain, or reward?

I have struggled throughout my Christian life trying to figure out what being chosen by God has actually done to my life. In the realest sense, Abram was sitting in his recliner at home when God showed up and changed his life forever. He had chosen him for a holy purpose and a newer life that He had planned out for him. Abram had to leave everything he knew in order to fulfill this calling from God. We have a hard time leaving our beds to fellowship with the church. We believe that we can be “called”, that we can be “chosen” and still hang on to the things in our lives that we know tear us from the very God who calls us.

If Abram had one lesson to teach, it was not about sacrifice or covenants with God. It is about obedience to God once being called, which Jesus will later call faith.

Our Purpose by Joe Tipps

blogsimichurchofchrist — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:43:35 +0000

It’s very hard for our modern minds to get over the sometimes destructive, jealous things our God does in order to preserve righteousness. On Sundays we are going through the Old Testament story by story to see how it fits in our daily lives. Last Sunday we went through the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. Several questions immediately go through my mind when dealing with this story. Why would God go through Abraham in order to save Lot? Why didn’t God have mercy with Lot’s wife instead turning her into a pillar of salt in front of Lot’s eyes?

So many people are afraid to deal with the terrible side of God’s wrath towards sin and rebellion. However, we do see mercy and grace in this story. The fact that God would have saved the entire valley if he found 10 righteous souls demonstrates this. Also, God did save Lot and his daughters when He could have let them endure the same punishment as the unrighteous.

No matter how much grace or mercy, the true facts of the story remain. An awesomely compassionate, morally absolute God destroyed an entire valley because of sin. As He did in the times of Noah, He shows us the absolute violent stance He has against sin. We wish He would budge or move, but the truth is, He won’t. He can’t. God will though, do whatever it takes to protect and preserve righteousness and also give the unrighteous an opportunity to hear what God has to offer.

Remember it was Lot, a righteous man, that decided to live among unrighteous people. From the time Lot and Abraham split up in Gen. 13 to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, they had the opportunity to hear God and a chance to advert the destruction.

I hope and pray that we remember why we are here on this planet and in this community. Regardless of our situations and our comfort zones, we are here to serve, love and communicate the desire God has for everyone and His hatred of sin and its consequences in all of our lives.

The Coffee Shop by Tyson Gosch

blogsimichurchofchrist — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 21:14:50 +0000

Coffee Shop in Chennai, India

For as long as I can remember, my grandfather would go down to the local coffee shop and gossip, err, visit with his friends. They were all older gentlemen and what you would call “regulars” at this place. The coffee shop itself is nothing great. In fact, it’s somewhat of a dive. My grandfather’s coffee shop was probably built in the ‘50s and maybe updated in the ‘70s. That didn’t make any difference. That’s not why he was there. I also don’t think he went there for the coffee, or the bacon and egg breakfast. He went there because he knew that he would be able to share a cup of coffee with friends.
In the last couple of years I’ve found myself at the coffee shop as well, and I see many connections to my grandfather’s coffee shop. From the outside it looks a little old and run down. If the building inspector stopped by, it might even be red tagged. When you go in, it doesn’t seem much better. In a good coffee shop like this one, you might even have several health code violations going on at any given moment. Let’s just say there’s no “A” or “B” in the window. What’s the draw to a place like this? It’s the friends you’re meeting there, the regulars you see every time you stop by, and the owner who remembers your order, as well as the last trip you went on.
In India, the Breeze Hotel had the “Kane and Abel” coffee shop. That was the meeting place every morning before we left for the day. Just like here, many of the same people would be there every morning and the server would remember who wanted regular coffee instead of the south Indian variety.
The similarities between the three coffee shops are striking. One common theme is fellowship. We gather in places like these in order to fellowship with like-minded people. We all have our own “coffee shops.”
We’re gathered here this morning to worship our Lord. If you look around, you probably see a lot of “regulars.” In addition to worshiping, we’re also called here to fellowship with each other and God. When we leave, we’re refreshed and ready to start the week. I don’t know about you, but I make it to the coffee shop whenever I can, and I’m looking forward to fellowshipping with people like Larry Fuller in that big “coffee shop in the sky.”

“The Kingdom of Heaven is Not a Matter of Talk” by Daniel Jolliff

blogsimichurchofchrist — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:38:45 +0000

In 1 Corinthians chapter 4, the apostle Paul is concluding his argument regarding the schisms that have taken place within the Corinthian Church. They have divided over people, gifts, grace, fellowship meals and just about everything else. The problem is that God is all about encouraging unity and community. The gospel of Jesus Christ is supposed to bring about reconciliation between both God and human beings and between human beings. Thus, what is going on within the Corinthian Church is simply unacceptable and completely contrary to what the message of the Church is all about!
Not only are there many divisions among the Corinthian Christians, but there are clearly some there who do not think too highly of the apostle Paul himself. They have obviously been maligning his name and diminishing his contribution to the initiation of the Church in Corinth. Nothing could be more hurtful to the Apostle Paul. Though many have come to encourage the Church at Corinth, Peter and Apollos to name a couple, there is clearly only one person who has the distinction of beginning that Church. Paul was the initiating missionary that first brought the gospel to Corinth. That makes his relationship with that congregation very unique. As Paul states in 1 Corinthians 4, he is their “father” in the faith. As one who has planted new congregations in new areas in and around the coastal city of Mombasa, Kenya, I know what Paul is saying. As a minister, I try to encourage Christians everywhere I go. But I have a very unique relationship with those congregations that I helped bring into existence. I must admit that I spend a little more time in prayer for those congregations that I do others.
Paul is trying to appeal to those in Corinth who somehow feel it is necessary to put Paul down as less than the other teachers that they have been exposed to. Rhetoric was a highly respected and valued art form at that time and apparently Paul was not particularly gifted in this area. Paul’s detractors were quick to point out that Paul’s teaching was not rhetorically eloquent and thus they did not feel it was as valuable to listen to versus the more refined speaking of Apollos. Paul lets them know that he is coming back to visit them and then there will be a confrontation. Paul has always been quick to point out that he is what he is by the grace and power of God. It is that God empowers Paul that he is able to teach, preach, and plant new Churches all over the Roman empire. Thus, his comment at the end of 1 Corinthians 4, “the kingdom of heaven is not a matter of talk, but of power!” Paul knows that he has the power of God on his side and therefore knows that that his opponents do not stand a chance in a confrontation with him. Like any loving father, Paul is ready to us the power of God to both rebuke and encourage. He leaves the choice up to the Corinthian Christians.
So that leaves us with just one question…do we have the power?

“Paul and Baptism” by Daniel Jolliff

blogsimichurchofchrist — Sun, 24 May 2009 17:47:31 +0000

In the opening section of 1 Corinthians, the apostle Paul makes a rather strange statement. He says, “I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius.” Now why would Paul be “thankful” that he did not baptize “many” of the Corinthians. Paul even goes on to say, “for Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” Taken out of context, this statement can be quite disturbing to those raised in the Churches of Christ. Baptism has held a very strong and prominent position within our doctrinal makeup and Paul seems to be tossing it aside as if it is unimportant and not central to his work. Well, that is why it is so important to look at the context. Paul has a very strong position on baptism. In fact, when you look at all of Paul’s writings, baptism is assumed for all of those who call themselves followers of Christ. What is going on in Corinth is that various groups within the Church there are claiming loyalties to those who “ baptized” them and taught them. They were taking those positions as if the person who baptized them made them better Christians of higher status than others in the church who were baptized by someone less important. These groups were arrogantly taunting the others that they should be listened to because they were more godly, spiritual and important based on which apostle baptized them or on which teacher they followed. Paul cannot believe what is happening and how “wrong” it is for Christians to treat each other that way. Christ is supposed to be a unifying factor; one that calls all people from all walks of life to come together in humility and unity as forgiven sinners in order to praise God together for the grace that He has poured out upon us. The very idea that the Corinthian Christians are dividing and demeaning each other based on human loyalties goes against everything Paul had taught them. Thus, when he heard that some were even using him as a rallying call, all those who were baptized by Paul, he states that he is thankful that he did not baptize many of them. The very thought of replacing loyalty to Jesus Christ with loyalty to Paul as a means of dividing against other Christians must have absolutely nauseated the apostle! We were baptized into Christ and we must always stay focused on following Christ above any human teacher. Human teachers are helpful and encouraging, but only as long as they point us toward Christ. Let us all encourage each other to be united in our zeal to follow Christ to the exclusion of all others.

“Urban Ministry” by Daniel Jolliff

blogsimichurchofchrist — Sun, 03 May 2009 19:41:34 +0000

As the apostle Paul began to extend the kingdom of God to the Gentiles, he began branching out further and further from Jerusalem. But as the story of Acts develops, we see that Paul is not so much getting away from Jerusalem, but that he is heading toward Rome. Everyone of his missionary journeys takes him closer to the capital city of the Roman empire. All roads, did lead to Rome.
But we see the strategy develop as well. Paul started planting churches in bigger and bigger cities, commerce centers and major intellectual centers. He knew that the church would spread quicker from the cities out into the country rather than the other way around. Thus, he came to Corinth, the provincial capital of Achaia.
Now there is a down-side of planting churches in large cities. Rural areas typically have more conservative values, stronger sense of community, and less transience. The cities on the other hand are filled with all sorts of corruption and immorality. Of course it could be said that the cities need God more based on that observation and that would be true. But it does take a special kind of apostle to just walk into a strange, large city known for its immorality and start preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel was definitely going to offend the people of Corinth.
However, we cannot give all the strategic and moral credit to the apostle Paul. Acts 18:9 tells us that the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision one night while he was in Corinth and told him, “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” Paul didn’t go to Corinth for his health. He wasn’t there so that he could relax on the beach and enjoy the Mediterranean sea. Paul came to Corinth because that was where God wanted him to be. God had already prepared the hearts of many in that city to hear the gospel and respond.
You know, I have always thought it was interesting that God did not tell Paul which ones he was supposed to speak to. God simply told him that “they” were out there in the city, and so Paul needed to just keep on preaching to anyone who would listen. Which begs the question, how many people does God have in this city of Simi or in Moorpark. God hasn’t told us who “they” are either. He has simply told all of us to get out there and share the message of Jesus, and He will direct those whom He wants to hear our message. Our job is basically the same as Paul’s was. Just keep on preaching to whoever with listen, and let God to the rest.

“The Cross: A Word or Deed?” by Daniel Jolliff

blogsimichurchofchrist — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 17:05:53 +0000

When we think of the cross of Christ, we often think about what a great act that was for God to sacrifice His only Son for the sins of humankind. We think of how much God hates sin and how much God loves sinners. The cross is an enigma in that it symbolizes so many paradoxes, justice & love, wrath & mercy, punishment & forgiveness, destruction & salvation, etc… The list could go on, and our consideration of the meaning of the cross is an endless process that God calls us to. We will only understand it fully when we are caught up with Christ at His second coming.
But beyond the cross being the most pivotal event in human history, what does the cross reveal to us about the God behind and in front of it? What is the message of the cross that the apostle Paul is so fond of talking about? The apostle John begins his gospel by referring to Jesus as the “Word,” God’s revelation to the world. What is revealed about God when we consider the sacrifice of His son in the likeness of sinful man?
I would submit to you that it blatantly reveals that God’s ways are not our ways. If we were going to save the world, I think we would have come up with something vastly different than the cross. It would have been something much more spectacular and grand. It would have involved a lot of “special effects” and a lot less humiliation. The “bad guys” would have been exposed and the “good guy” vindicated for all to see. No, the cross reveals that God’s ways are not our ways.
It also reveals that we have a relentless God who will not give up on us despite all the evidence that He should. He continues to bless while we go on cursing, He continues to lift up while we live to tear down. God wants us to join Him in an intimate, loving and merciful relationship. He won’t force us, but He’ll do everything He can to entice us into His wonderful kingdom. As the apostle Paul put it, “He who did not spare His own Son, but give Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?”

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